A Social Development Approach to the Seemingly Intractable Problem of Poverty and Human Underdevelopment in Haiti: An Exploratory Conceptualization for Fiscal Support

A Discussion paper developed for Haiti Emergency Relief Organization (H.E.R.O.) by Creigs Beverly, Ph.D. and Olivia Beverly, ABD.

Introduction

In his seminal work, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire asserts that:

While the problem of humanization has always, from an axiological point of view, been humankind’s central problem, it now takes on the character of an inescapable concern. Concern for humanization leads at once to the recognition of dehumanization, not only as an ontological possibility but as an historical reality. And as an individual perceives the extent of dehumanization, he or she may ask if humanization is a viable possibility. Within history, in concrete, objective contexts, both humanization and dehumanization are possibilities for a person as an uncompleted being conscious of their incompletion.

Critical to Freire’s insight is that people who have been historically disenfranchised and oppressed must first become conscious of their objective reality before they can transcend it. In effect, if one is unable to define their objective reality it becomes virtually impossible to exact an effective strategy to free themselves from it. Simply put, you can’t overcome that which you can’t define.

By any socio-economic barometer one chooses to use, the vast majority of the people in Haiti find themselves locked into a vicious cycle of poverty, human underdevelopment and an incalcuable sum of untapped human potential. The United Nations classifies Haiti as the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

History of Tragedies

The aforementioned conditions have been continually exacerbated by an unrelenting series of natural disasters. In 1994 tropical storm Gordon killed several hundred people. In 1998 Hurricane Georges swept away more than 500 lives. In 2004 tropical storm Jeanne claimed more than 2000 lives. In 2005 Hurricane Dennis took 25 lives. Tropical storm Alpha took 17 lives followed by Wilma which took 11 lives. Hurricane Fay and Gustav in 2008 killed more than 130 people and destroyed 3100 homes. And after all of this came the earthquake of 2010 and a death toll officials cannot begin to imagine (Pitts 2010). Current estimates from Haiti put the most recent earthquake of 2010 at over 150,000 lives.

All of these natural disasters coupled with years of political unrest and instability have left many wondering whether Haiti will ever live up to the promise of its liberation from the French. Yet, hope springs eternal. Over the years many nations have assisted Haiti with humanitarian aid. The United States is the largest donor of humanitarian aid. There are over 3000 charitable organizations operating in Haiti today and in spite of all past and current assistance, Haiti remains desperate and poor. Why?

The thesis of Haiti Emergency Relief Organization (H.E.R.O.) is that the primary focus of all the humanitarian aid to Haiti over the years and the primary foci of the 3000 plus charitable organizations operating in Haiti today has been relief, not development. Yes, relief is necessary to save and sustain life, but what Haiti desperately needs are models of human development which not only save and sustain life, but also set the nation on a course of social and economic development which maximizes and collectivizes the human capital inherent in the people of Haiti. The social development model would appear to offer an alternative paradigm to development in Haiti.

Social Development Model

The Social Development Model was conceptually and operationally defined by Mayadas and Elliott (1998) in a paper entitled, Social Exclusion, Social Development and Social Work. Specifically, social development involves building bridges for people to participate in society in different ways, for example, to participate in the labor market through programs such as micro-lending schemes, micro-enterprise initiatives, and asset based policies. (Sherraden, 1991). It involves changing societal structures in the interests of social justice. It addresses social problems from a preventative perspective and individuals from an empowerment perspective, linking social and economic approaches. It offers an integrative theory for social work practice as well as a framework for social policy planning. (Elliott 1993: Billups, 1994, Mayadas & Elliott, 1995, Elliott & Mayadas, 1996).

Figure one which follows both contextualizes and conceptualizes the social development paradigm and gives direction as to how to move from theory to practice (operationalization). In order to effectuate the social development paradigm within Haiti, H.E.R.O. proposes the creation of a community and social development center located outside the metropolis of Port-au-Prince.

Demographics and Location

Gonaïves (Gonayiv in Kréyòl) is the capital of Artibonite Department. It has a population of about 104,825 people (2003 census). The Artibonite valley has an area of 4,984 km² making it the largest department out of Haiti’s 10 departments. Artibonite has a population of 1,168,800 (2002).

It has suffered greatly from natural disasters. In September 2004, Hurricane Jeanne caused the death of 3,006 people. “Every building in the city was damaged by the storm and 250,000 people were left homeless” (idem). In 2008, four years later, the city was again devastated by Hurricane Hanna. This storm killed 529 people. The HERO Community and Social Development Center will be located by a mountain which is a landmark to the city.

Youth and adults will be trained in computer technology, computer repair, clothing/ fashion, culinary art, cinema /music entertainment, and micro enterprises. It will also include a foster care program for abandoned, orphaned, and destitute children. There are over 3000 ‘charitable’ organizations in Haiti. The United States is our biggest donor of humanitarian aid and business partner. Yet, the situation over the past 60 years had only gotten worse. HERO will use a holistic approach to tackle and provide some real solutions to some of Haiti’s presumably chronic problems.

HERO employs a five point strategy, tailored to local needs, in order to fulfill our mission.

Food security:

Haiti is the third hungriest nation in the world, behind Somalia and Afghanistan (MiamiHerald.com, 2005). Every hour, a Haitian child dies of starvation before reaching the age of 5(yele.org). HERO also plans to recruit volunteer food scientists and agronomists from universities and corporations to go to Haiti every year to show Haitian farmers how to better cultivate their land and get better results. We will work also with the Haitian government and civil professionals.

Education and Youth Empowerment

Only about 30% of Haitian children ever begin school, and of the 30%, only 2% stay in school beyond the 5th grade (www.webster.edu). There are about one million children and youth out of school because of poverty. In 2007 HERO paid a full year tuition for 35 school-age children in order for them to afford school that year. For over 3 years, HERO has supported one High School student and some college students in Haiti.

Emergency Preparedness / Management:

Haiti lies in the middle of the hurricane belt. According to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, Haiti is “subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts in the country, extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water.” (CIA, www.cia.gov, 2007)

HERO will implement emergency preparedness and management training programs in concert with other world emergency organizations to teach institutions, schools, and citizens how to be prepared in case of an emergency. Materials such as helicopters, ambulances, special utility trucks, and communications tools are essential and are in great need.

Health and Quality of Life Empowerment:

HIV/AIDS kill more than 30,000 people each year and more than 200,000 become orphans. There are only 1.2 doctors, 1.3 nurses and 0.4 dentists for every 10,000 Haitians. HERO will establish a database for volunteer medical students and medical doctors. Through that database, HERO will conduct ongoing medical mission trips in order to train Haitian medical students and volunteers which in turn will train Haitians how to live better, healthier lives. This program will include hygiene, HIV-AIDS education and awareness, tuberculosis among others.

Economic Empowerment:

Our aim is to empower all people in attaining economic self-sufficiency through job training and creation, entrepreneurship.

References

Billups, J. (1994). The Social Development Model as an Organizing Framework for Social Work Practice. In: R.G. Meinert, J.T. Pardeck, & W.P. Sullivan, (eds) Issues in Social Work: A Critical Analysis. Westport, CT. Auburn House.

Elliott, D. (1993). Social Work and Social Development: Towards an integrative model for social work practice. International Social Work, 36, 21-36.

Elliott, D., & Mayadas, N.S. (1996). Social development and clinical practice in social work. The Journal of Applied Social Sciences, 21: (1), 61-68.

Freire, Paulo (2001). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group, Inc.

Gore, C. (1995a). Markets, citizenship and social exclusion. Chapter 1 in Rodgers, G., Gore, C. & Figueiredo, J. B., Social Exclusion: Rhetoric, Reality, Responses. Geneva, International Institute for Labor Studies. International Labor Organization (ILO) Publications.

Mayadas, N.S. & Elliott, D. (1995). Developing Professional identify through social groupwork: A social development model for education. In M. D. Feit, J.H. Ramey, J.S. Wodarski, & A.R. Mann (Eds.) Capturing the power of Diversity. New York: Haworth.

Mayadas, N. and Elliott, D. (1998). Social Exclusion, Social Development and Social Work. Summary version of paper presented at the 10th IUCISD Conference. Cairo, Egypt.

Midgley, J. (1995). Social Development: The Developmental Perspective in Social Welfare. Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications.

Pitts, Leonard (1/18/2010). Earth cruel to beaten down Haiti. Huntsville Times, Forum, p. A9.

Sherraden, M. (1991). Assets and the Poor: a New American Welfare Policy. New York, NY. M.E. Sharpe Inc.

United Nations, 1997. UN Briefing Papers. The World Conferences. Developing priorities for the 21st Century. Department of Public Information. New York, United Nations.

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